Cricket: ICC announces equal prize money for men and women teams

While the return of big cricket to Canadian soil is just around the corner, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought about several revolutionary changes, including equal prize money for men’s and women’s teams at ICC events. Canada will be beneficiary of some of the decision as the ICC Board approved enhanced funding of Member associations following the success of media rights and commercial programmes of the Board.

The decision was taken at the ICC Annual Conference in Durban, South Africa, and ensures the ICC Board fulfilled its commitment to reaching prize money equity by 2030 well ahead of schedule. Teams will now receive equal prize money for the equivalent finishing position at comparable events as well as the same amount for winning a match at those events.

The ICC Chairman Greg Barclay said after the meeting : “This is a significant moment in the history of our sport, and I am delighted that men’s and women’s cricketers competing at ICC global events will now be rewarded equally.

“Since 2017 we have increased prize money at women’s events every year with a clear focus on reaching equal prize money and from here on in, winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will carry the same prize money as winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the same for T20 World Cups and U19s too.

“Cricket is genuinely a sport for all and this decision from the ICC Board reinforces that and enables us to celebrate and value every single player’s contribution to the game equally.”

The ICC Board also confirmed the largest ever investment into the sport after the distribution model for the next four years was agreed. Every ICC Member will receive significantly enhanced funding with a strategic investment fund ring-fenced to drive global growth initiatives in line with the ICC Global Growth Strategy.

 “The success of our media rights and commercial programme for our next four-year cycle means we are able to invest more money than ever before into our sport,” said Greg Barclay

“All Members will receive a base distribution and then additional revenue will be in relation to contribution to the global game both on and off the field. This is by far the largest level of investment ever to go into cricket and it’s a once in a generation opportunity for our Members to accelerate growth and engage more players and fans and drive competitiveness.

“I’m delighted that the board has also committed to a strategic investment fund which will help to accelerate the delivery of our Global Growth Strategy.”

The ICC Board also approved changes to ICC Sanctioning Regulations designed to support all Members to create sustainable revenue streams and develop the game whilst preserving and protecting the integrity of the sport and the welfare of those participating.

Moving forwards, new events requiring a sanction will need to ensure the playing XI of each team will include a minimum of seven local or Associate Member players to support the development of the game. Additionally, a solidarity fee will be payable from the organizing Member to the Home Board of a player to reflect the role the Member played in developing and promoting the sport globally.

The Chief Executives’ Committee approved changes to over-rate sanctions in Test cricket to balance the need for over-rates to be maintained and ensure players are appropriately remunerated. As such players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over short up to a maximum of 50%. If a team is bowled out before the new ball is due at 80 overs, there will be no over-rate penalty applied even if there is a slow over rate. This replaces the current 60 over threshold.

Meanwhile, debutants in GT20 Canada,  Surrey Jaguars are all set to make an impression in their maiden appearance.

The third edition of the star-studded league will begin on  July 20 at the CAA Centre in Brampton. The league also features Mississauga Panthers, Toronto Nationals, Brampton Wolves, Montreal Tigers and Vancouver Knights.

Former Indian Test cricketer and Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, Harbhajan Singh, will represent Brampton Wolves. Another former Test star and allrounder from Punjab, Yuvraj Singh, will also feature in this year’s event.

Cricket Canada named 30 players, including all 15 members of the present national squad and other 15 who are upcoming cricketers. They have been divided among all six participating teams with the condition that each playing XI will have a minimum of three Canadian players.

The Surrey Jaguars will be eager to emerge as title contenders with a formidable squad comprising the likes of Alex Hales, Iftikhar Ahmed, Litton Das, Ben Cutting and Mohammad Haris. Their pursuit for glory will be steered by the veteran coach Lalchand Rajput. Having previously guided a franchise to a trophy in the 2019 edition of the Global T20 Canada tournament, his experience will prove to be a vital asset for the Jaguars.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Head Coach Lalchand Rajput expressed confidence in his squad. He said, “We have got a very good mixture of seniors and juniors. We have Alex Hales and Iftikhar Ahmed as marquee players and we also have a very good set of international players like Ben Cutting, Litton Das and Mohammed Harris.”

He further added that the team has several strong players from the Associate Nations as well as from Canada, “The tournament is a unique opportunity for players from Associate Nations and Canada to rub shoulders with international players and develop their skills. I am sure they will be eager to make their mark on the game and showcase their talent. We have a good mixture of players from Associate Nations including Ayan Khan and Jatinder Singh from Oman, Bernard Scholtz from Netherlands and Sandeep Lamichhane, the leg spinner from Nepal,” he remarked.

Talking about Canadian players in the team, he reiterated the promising combination of youth and experience, “From Canada, we have a fantastic batsman in Pargat Singh and a lethal bowler in Dillon Heyliger, we also have very promising youngsters from the U-19 set-up as well.”

The explosive opener, Alex Hales also shared his excitement to be a part of the marquee tournament. “I am excited to join the Surrey Jaguars. I can’t wait to get to Canada, it will be my first time there and I am looking forward to the contest.” he said. Echoing his teammate’s excitement, Australian all-rounder, Ben Cutting said, “I can’t wait for the action to begin, I am thrilled to join the Jaguars and experience the atmosphere.”

Kitted in shades of spotted yellow and purple, the Surrey Jaguars will begin their campaign against the Montreal Tigers on  July 22 at the CAA Centre in Brampton.

Surrey Jaguars: Alex Hales/Jason Behrendorff, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ben Cutting, Litton Kumar Das, Mohammad Wasim Jr./Matthew Forde, Mohammad Haris, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ayaan Khan, Jatinder Singh, Bernard Scholtz, Paragat Singh, Dillon Heyliger, Ammar Khalid, Sunny Matharu, Sheel Patel, Kairav Sharma.

Prabhjot Singh